YORK is always crowded at this time of year. But those in the know can find city centre tranquillity even when the footstreets are at their most hectic.

That is because York has laid on a series of escape routes. All over the city, little alleyways lead the experienced resident to instant calm and quiet.

Among them is Bedern. Nip through the covered passage and you are away from bustling Goodramgate into a York hideaway.

Here modern brick homes nestle alongside two ancient buildings. Immediately on your right is Bedern Chapel. A few steps further on, Bedern Hall.

Not so long ago, the hall stood battered and forlorn. Only 100 metres away from the Minster, and dating from the same period, this smaller example of the medieval stonemasons' craft had been allowed to fall into serious disrepair.

Then in the 1980s, it was restored to its best by York City Council. Its mixture of red brick and stone and its high arched windows, make this a gem, albeit one undiscovered by many tourists and residents.

It is available for hire for wedding receptions and other events. This picturesque spot is enhanced by the beautifully maintained garden behind.

The party at Bedern Hall last Friday was very much an in-house affair, as a reception was held for the hall's benefactors.

Launched two years ago, Bedern Hall Company Ltd started the 365 Benefactors scheme to generate interest in Bedern and to raise funds for specific larger projects of renewal at the hall. Each benefactor "sponsors" the hall for the day of their choosing.

The evening also saw the launch of the first in a new series of books from York Archaeological Trust, under the banner Exploring York.

The book, Bedern Hall And The Vicars Choral Of York Minster, is a fascinating account of the history of the Bedern area and what life was like for the vicars who used the hall as their refectory.

It was written by Richard Hall, deputy director of York Archaeological Trust, which carried out extensive excavations on the site before it was redeveloped.

Dr Hall said: "If you know where to look, it's possible to see the imprint that York Minster's Vicars Choral and their medieval neighbours have left on the area."

The word Bedern was first recorded in 1265. It derives from Old English words meaning prayer house.

From about 1250 the College of Vicars Choral was "an institution vital to the daily life and worship of York Minster," Dr Hall writes.

Canons were supposed to conduct this daily routine of Christian worship. "A medieval canon was guaranteed a good income from church taxes, and the king often ensured that able administrators and other key members of his royal household were rewarded by being appointed to these positions.

"When their work for the king took them away from the cathedral they had to provide a deputy to take their place so that the Minster's worship, all of which was set to music, could continue in their absence.

"These deputies, who had to be priests able to sing or chant the services, were known as Vicars Choral. Their other purpose was to celebrate masses for the souls of their dead patrons."

The archaeological excavation uncovered what was once a thriving church community. Constructed in about 1250-70, the earliest buildings were around three sides of a courtyard.

One of the timber-framed buildings was huge, at least 50 metres long and 12 metres wide. The first floor is thought to have housed a communal dormitory, with each vicar allotted a bay. About 36 could have stayed there at any time.

These were prosperous times for the church, Dr Hall writes. "The vicars increased their corporate wealth and standing by leading services to pray for the dead - anyone able to offer them sufficient payment qualified for these chantry masses.

"Their payment often came in the form of properties, and by 1400 the vicars profited from a portfolio of 240 properties that they rented out."

Bedern Chapel was built in the 1340s. It was tiny, measuring about 8m by 6m internally, although it was richly furnished. By 1400 it had been extended with the new space partitioned off, perhaps for a band of musicians.

Bedern Hall, where the vicars dined together, was first built of timber then, ten years later, rebuilt in stone.

"In 1396 the vicars were given permission to build a bridge across Goodramgate, taking them directly from their precinct into Vicars Lane (now College Street) and on to their services in the Minster," Dr Hall writes.

"This bridge is something of a mystery. Did the vicars consider themselves to be above mixing with the ordinary townsfolk; or was this a way to ensure that the vicars didn't encounter the temptations available in York?

"Indeed, was the bridge ever built at all?"

The author also gives an insight into the lives of the vicars in the choir. Professionally, their time was dominated by at least eight daily services and masses in the Minster.

At Christmas, Easter and other major feasts, they would stage an elaborate performance of music and procession which must have been a spectacle.

It was crucial that vicars choral could sight read music and they began to learn pieces as boy choristers. To graduate through the ranks, they needed to know 5,000 items of choral chant.

The discovery of goshawk and sparrowhawk bones suggest that some vicars enjoyed the aristocratic sport of hawking in their spare time.

Although chess, draughts, dice and gambling were forbidden, counters and dice were also found during the dig.

And certain vicars choral did succumb to the temptation of female company. Dr Hall reveals that for some, "entertainment meant having women to stay overnight or, indeed, longer term within their rooms.

"Other vicars remained out of the precinct after dusk when they were supposed to be back in the college.

"Despite being prosecuted and punished in the Dean and Chapter's court, where records survive... it is clear that several vicars were persistent womanisers."

Bedern Hall And The Vicars Choral Of York Minster by Richard Hall is published by York Archaeological Trust, price £3.95. Copies can be bought from the Hall or by telephoning (01904) 646030. They are also on sale at the trust, 13 Ogleforth; the Jorvik Centre; the Archaeological Resource Centre, St Saviourgate; Barley Hall and bookshops.

Updated: 10:41 Monday, May 10, 2004